Systems and methods for utilizing information to monitor targets

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for monitoring movement in relation to locations about which data is available from one or more sources.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to (is a non-provisional of)U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/866,000 entitled “Systems and Methods forUtilizing Information to Monitor Targets”, and filed Aug. 14, 2013 byBuck et al. The entirety of the aforementioned provisional patentapplications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to monitoring movement, and inparticular to systems and methods for initializing movement monitoring.

Large numbers of individuals are currently housed in prisons. Thisrepresents a significant cost to society both in terms of housingexpense and wasted productivity. To address this concern, house arrestsystems have been developed for use by less violent offenders. Thisallows the less violent offender to be monitored outside of atraditional prison system and allows the offender an opportunity to workand interact to at least some degree in society. The same approach isapplied to paroled prisoners allowing for a monitored transition betweena prison atmosphere and returning to society. House arrest systemsrequire substantial oversight and/or setup costs. Such costs can makeuse of house arrest systems less desirable.

Thus, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need inthe art for more advanced approaches, devices and systems for locationmonitoring.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to monitoring movement, and inparticular to systems and methods for initializing movement monitoring.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide monitoring systemsthat include a monitor device associated with a monitor target where themonitor device is operable to transmit information indicating movementof the monitor target to a central monitoring system. The systemsfurther include a computer and a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium includes instructions executable by the computer to:receive information from one or more databases where the informationidentifies at least one attribute corresponding to a location along apath traveled by the monitor target; analyze the information using anattribute of the monitor target where it is determined that the locationalong the path is problematic; and issuing an alert indicating thelocation along the path.

This summary provides only a general outline of some embodimentsaccording to the present invention. Many other objects, features,advantages and other embodiments of the present invention will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the various embodiments of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the figures which aredescribed in remaining portions of the specification. In the figures,similar reference numerals are used throughout several drawings to referto similar components. In some instances, a sub-label consisting of alower case letter is associated with a reference numeral to denote oneof multiple similar components. When reference is made to a referencenumeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intendedto refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring system in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting an operational mode for initializingand operating a monitoring system in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention;

FIGS. 3a-3b are flow diagrams depicting operational modes of amonitoring system incorporating fixed exclusion zones in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4a-4b are exemplary displays including fixed exclusion zones inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting an operational mode in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention for performing a learncontrol mode using monitored information and statistical analysis;

FIGS. 6a-6c are exemplary displays showing interim inclusion zones inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting an operational mode for validatinginterim inclusion zones in a monitoring system in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 8a-8e are exemplary displays showing the validation of interiminclusion zones in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an operational mode for monitoringmovement in a monitoring system in accordance with one or moreembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing an operational mode for initializingand operating a monitoring system including use of informationaldatabases to flag potential concerns in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram depicting use of mapping and trafficinformation in accordance with some embodiments of the present inventionfor performing monitoring of target movement;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram depicting use of demographic information inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention for performingmonitoring of target movement;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram depicting use of Internet access informationin accordance with some embodiments of the present invention forperforming monitoring of target movement and

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram depicting use of crime scene information inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention performingmonitoring of target movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to monitoring movement, and inparticular to systems and methods for initializing movement monitoring.

Existing asset tracking systems typically require a substantial efforton the part of an official to manually designate schedules includingareas and times where/when a monitored individual is not allowed toventure. This manual process may involve the official interviewing themonitored individual to determine the monitored individual's place ofresidence, local shopping areas, church services, court orderedsubstance testing location, and place of work, as well as times when themonitored individual is expected to be at the various identifiedlocation. The official must then determine acceptable travel paths thatmay be used by the monitored individual to travel between the identifiedlocations, and times when the travel paths are expected to be used. Theofficial enters this information on a daily, semi-daily, weekly orbi-weekly basis depending upon the interview with the monitoredindividual. It will be appreciated that such an approach forestablishing a monitoring program for a given monitored individual mayinvolve programming hundreds or thousands of schedule entries thecombination of which define exclusion areas, inclusion areas andcorresponding times. Such an approach is costly and may becomeprohibitive.

Further, even if careful monitoring or a monitored individual occurs, anofficial may miss one or more problem indicators. To reduce thispossibility, some embodiments of the present invention provide systemsand methods for utilizing third party data sources in relation tomonitoring an individual's movement. For example, some embodiments ofthe present invention may perform demographic analysis using dataavailable from, for example, the US Census, Experian™ Household andIndividual information, and/or the Dunn and Bradstreet™ Analyticdatasets to better identify zones of interest. When a zone is found tobe frequented by a monitored individual, an analysis of the areaincluding the business types, household statistics including as incomelevels, education, and number of children registered in the household.Parks, schools, day care facilities, and even prison or halfway housescan be located to recognize suspicious behavior near locations with anelevated risk. Businesses of suspicion may include, but are not limitedto liquor stores, bars, casinos, gun sales, pawn shops, and/or toystores. As another example, some embodiments of the present inventionutilize third party data sets indicating the location of free Wi-Fiaccess point locations are available for download over API. Once alocation is identified as being frequented by a monitored individual,the presence of a free Wi-Fi access point at the location could identifyhigh risk behavior that is in violation of a monitored individual'sparole agreement. In yet other examples, third party mapping and trafficinformation available from, for example Tom Tom™. Once a route followedby a monitored individual is identified, analytics can be used tocalculate the acceptable walk, bike, and drive times; includingalternative routes. A monitored individual is then allotted a travelroute and corresponding travel time. Where time or route violationsoccur, they are flagged as a possible indication that a monitoredindividual is attempting to use a new route that passes by a problematicarea such as, for example, a park or a school. As yet another example,crime scene databases can be collected from a number of sources andcompared spatially and temporally to the GPS datasets corresponding totravel of the monitored individual. The collected crime data can also beanalyzed to determine areas at a higher risk of crime for monitoredindividuals based on the past crime scene data collected. In addition,use of such crime scene data could be used to identify potentialcriminal activity and/or gang associations of the monitored individual.In some cases, predictive tool sets including, but not limited to, thepublicly available R Statistical library may be used to accommodate theprediction of monitored individual behavior. As a learning curve isdeveloped, a mean expected behavior can be concluded and then variancescan be better identified. As a historic library is developed, the pastand present monitored individual behavior can be used to better assessfuture monitored individual behavior and recommended level of monitoringrequired for successful completion in the monitoring program.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide monitoring systemsthat include a monitor device associated with a monitor target where themonitor device is operable to transmit information indicating movementof the monitor target to a central monitoring system. The systemsfurther include a computer and a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium includes instructions executable by the computer to:receive information from one or more databases where the informationidentifies at least one attribute corresponding to a location along apath traveled by the monitor target; analyze the information using anattribute of the monitor target where it is determined that the locationalong the path is problematic; and issuing an alert indicating thelocation along the path.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the one or moredata bases includes demographic data, and wherein the information is asubset of the demographic data. In some such instances, the subset ofthe demographic data identifies locations frequented by children, andthe attribute of the monitor target identifies the monitored target asprecluded from being near children. In other instances of theaforementioned embodiments, the subset of the demographic dataidentifies businesses selling alcohol, and the attribute of the monitortarget identifies the monitored target as precluded from consumingalcohol. In some cases, the computer readable medium further includesinstructions executable by the computer to determine a delay in travelby the monitor target along the path traveled by the monitor target. Insuch cases, analyzing the information using an attribute of the monitortarget is limited to an area around the location of the delay.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the one or moredata bases includes mapping and traffic information, and the computerreadable medium further includes instructions executable by the computerto: calculate an estimated time to travel the path traveled by themonitor target; compare the estimated time to travel with an actual timeof travel by the monitor target where the actual time of travel exceedsthe estimated time to travel by a threshold amount; and issuing an alertindicating a time violation based at least in part on the actual time oftravel exceeding the estimated time to travel by the threshold amount.In some such instances, the threshold amount is programmable. In oneparticular instances, the threshold amount is zero.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the one or moredata bases includes Internet access locations, and the information is asubset of the Internet access locations. In one or more instances of theaforementioned embodiments, the one or more data bases includes crimescene data, and the information is a subset of the crime scene data. Insome cases, the systems further include an alert recipient systemoperable to receive the alert and to direct the alert to a deviceassociated with an official overseeing the monitor target.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods formonitoring targeted movement that include receiving information from aserver computer, where the information identifies at least one attributecorresponding to a location along a path traveled by a monitor target;analyzing the information using an attribute of the monitor target usinga processing system, where it is determined that the location along thepath is problematic; and issuing an alert indicating the location alongthe path. In some cases, the methods further include associating amonitor device with the monitor target. The monitor device is operableto transmit information about the monitor target to a receiving system,and the information indicates movement of the monitor target.

Turning to FIG. 1, a monitoring system 100 is depicted in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention. Monitoring system 100may be tailored for tracking human subjects, however, it should be notedthat various implementations and deployments of monitoring system 100may be tailored for tracking non-human targets such as, for example,other animals or inanimate assets. Such inanimate assets may include,but are not limited to, automobiles, boats, equipment, shippingcontainers or the like. In one particular embodiment, monitoring system100 is tailored for tracking delivery vehicles. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of individuals, animals and/or assets that may bemonitored in accordance with different embodiments of the presentinvention, and/or different monitoring scenarios or systems that may bemodified to incorporate one or more features disclosed herein.

Monitoring system 100 includes, but is not limited to, a braceletmonitor 120 that is physically coupled to a human subject 110 by asecuring device 190. In some cases, securing device 190 is a strap thatincludes a continuity sensor that when broken indicates an error ortamper condition. Further, in some cases, bracelet monitor 120 includesa proximity sensor that is able to detect when it has been moved awayfrom an individual being monitored. When such movement away from theindividual is detected, an error or tamper condition may be indicated.Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of tamper sensors that may be incorporatedin either bracelet monitor 120 or securing device 190 to allow fordetection of removal of bracelet monitor 120 or other improper orunexpected meddling with bracelet monitor 120. Further, based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of monitors and/or securing devices that may beappropriate where the target of the monitoring is not a human or otheranimal subject, but rather an asset.

Bracelet monitor 120 is designed to provide the location of humansubject 110 under a number of conditions. For example, when braceletmonitor 120 is capable of receiving wireless GPS location information130, 131, 132 from a sufficient number of GPS satellites 145, 146, 147respectively, bracelet monitor 120 may use the received wireless GPSlocation information to calculate or otherwise determine the location ofhuman subject 110. Alternatively or in addition, the location of abeacon 180 that is local to bracelet monitor 120 may be used as thelocation of bracelet monitor 120. As yet another alternative, an AFLTfix may be established based on cellular communication with braceletmonitor 120. It should be noted that other types of earth basedtriangulation may be used in accordance with different embodiments ofthe present invention. For example, other cell phone basedtriangulation, UHF band triangulation such as Rosum, Wimax frequencybased triangulation, S-5 based triangulation based on spread spectrum900 MHz frequency signals. Based on the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize other types of earth basedtriangulation that may be used.

As yet another alternative, an AFLT fix may be established based oncellular communications between bracelet monitor 120 and a cellularcommunication system 250. Furthermore, when wireless communication link233 between bracelet monitor 120 and cellular communications system 250is periodically established, at those times, bracelet monitor 120 mayreport status and other stored records including location fixes to acentral monitoring system 260 via wireless communication link 238.

Monitoring system 100 includes, but is not limited to, at least onebeacon 180. Beacons 180 are instrumental for beacon based monitoringsystems. Within FIG. 1, a telemetric wireless link 141 has been depictedbetween beacon 180 a and bracelet monitor 120. Each beacon 180 has anadjustable range to make telemetric wireless contact with braceletmonitor 120. At any point in time, depending on each beacon's 180relative distance to bracelet monitor 120, none, one, or more than onetracking beacons 180 may be within transmission range of a singlebracelet monitor 120. Likewise, it is further conceivable under variouscircumstances that more than one bracelet monitor 120 at times be withinin range of a solitary beacon 180.

Telemetric wireless communications path 141 established at times betweentracking beacon 180 a and bracelet monitor 120 illustrates a commonfeature of various different embodiments of the current invention. Someembodiments of the various inventions vary on how, i.e. protocol, andwhat information and/or signaling is passed over wireless link 141. Forexample, in more simplified configurations and embodiments, each beacon180 is limited to repetitively transmitting its own beacon ID andphysical location information. In that way, once bracelet monitor 120 iswithin transmission range of tracking beacon 180 a and establisheswireless or wired reception 141, then bracelet monitor 120 can recordand store received beacon ID and location information. At a later time,for some embodiments of the present invention, bracelet monitor 120 canthen report recorded readings from beacons 180 to the central monitoringsystem 160 over the cellular communication system 150 using wirelesslinks 133 and 138 as depicted in FIG. 1. Furthermore, many embodimentsallow for such transmissions and information passing to occur withoutbeing noticed by human subject 110, and unnoticed, automatically, andnear effortlessly central monitoring system 160 is able to establishrecords and track human subject's 110 movements and whereabouts.

In other embodiments or configurations according to the presentinvention, each beacon 180 also transmit status information related toits own device health and information related from each beacon's 180internal tampering, movement, or other sensors via a communicationsystem 170 to central monitoring system 160. This allows for detectionof movement of beacons 180, and establishing some level of confidencethat the location reported by each of beacons 180 is accurate. Variousother details about a beacon based system are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/041,746 entitled “Beacon Based Tracking Devicesand Methods for Using Such” and filed Mar. 4, 2008 by Buck et al. Theentirety of the aforementioned reference is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

Likewise, in some other embodiments, each bracelet monitor 120 containsa host of their own tampering, shielding, movement, and/or other sensorsrelated to its own device health. While still further embodiments alsoinclude a host of other measurement transducers within bracelet monitor120 for extracting information, and for later reporting, related tophysical properties of human subject 110. For example, measuring for thepresence of alcohol and/or other drugs present in human subject 110 maybe included in some embodiments of bracelet monitor 120. As one example,the alcohol sensor discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/041,765 entitled “Transdermal Portable Alcohol Monitor and Methodsfor Using Such” and filed by Cooper et al. on Mar. 4, 2008. The entiretyof the aforementioned reference is incorporated herein by reference forall purposes.

Beacons 180 in alternative embodiments of the present invention maycommunicate with central monitoring system 160 independently of braceletmonitor 120. The monitoring system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 showsbeacon 180 b having both a wireless communication link 135 with cellularcommunication system 150, and also illustrates beacon 180 b having ahardwired communication link 139 with land communication system 170.Monitoring system 100 is also shown with beacons 180 a, 180 b, and 180 ceach having hardwired land communication links 140, 139, and 136respectively to land communication system 170. Monitoring system 100further illustrates land communication system 170 having a hardwiredcommunication link 134 to cellular communication system 150, and ahardwired communication link 137 to central monitoring system 160.

In some embodiments of the present invention, beacons 180 are located inareas frequented by human subject 110 where bracelet monitor 120 isincapable of accessing information from the GPS system. Such beaconseliminate the need to perform an AFLT fix and avoid the costs associatedtherewith. As an example, human subject 110 may have a tracking beacon180 placed within his home, and one also placed at his place ofemployment in close proximity to his work area. In this way, the twoplaced beacons, each at different prescribed times, can interact withhis attached bracelet monitor 120 to periodically make reports tocentral monitoring system 260 to track movements and the whereabouts ofhuman subject 110. All this can be done without incurring the costsassociated with performing an AFLT fix.

Monitoring system 100 further includes a control station 191 that iscommunicably coupled to central monitoring system 160 via acommunication link 192. In one particular embodiment of the presentinvention, control station 191 is a personal computer including adisplay device, a processor, and/or one or more I/O devices. Based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of systems that may be used as control station 191.A storage medium 195 is communicably coupled to control station 191 andmaintains instructions governing the operation of a learn control mode,a verify control mode, and a monitor control mode.

Central monitoring system 160 includes functionality for sending alertsto an alert recipient system 185 when a tracked individual or assetviolates one or more time and location rules developed using theaforementioned learn control and verify control (e.g., when a monitortarget ventures into an exclusion zone a defined distance or for adefined period of time). In some cases, the learned path isstatistically adjusted to be a mean location traversed over a number ortimes, and an expected variance. When a location of the monitoredindividual exceeds the variance from the mean, an alert may begenerated. Various implementations of the learn control mode, verifycontrol mode and monitor control mode are more fully described below inrelation to FIGS. 2-14. Such an alert recipient system 185 may be, butis not limited to, a law enforcement computer deployed at a dispatchstation of the law enforcement facility or a hand held computermaintained by a law enforcement official. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of alert recipient systems 185 that may be used in relation toone or more of the embodiments discussed herein.

Central monitoring system 160 has access to one or more third party datasources 199. These third party data sources may include, but are notlimited to, demogramphic databases, databases indicating the location ofpublicly available Internet access points, mapping and trafficinformation, and/or crime scene databases. Use of information from thesedatabases allows for checking a learned path against potential problems.

Demographic databases may include, but are not limited to, governmentcensus information, Experian™ household and individual information,and/or Dunn and Bradstreet™ Analytics database. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of other databases or data sources that may be usedin relation to different embodiments of the present invention. As anexample, using demographic databases, a learned path of a convictedburglar may be compared against high income areas, or a learned path ofa convicted child abuser may be checked against locations known to befrequented by children, or a learned path of an alcoholic may be checkedagainst locations of bars or liquor stores. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of other uses for demographic information. Alternatively, or ina addition, the demographic information may be used to determine anypotential problems at an area along the learned path where a monitoredindividual is stopping or slowing more than expected.

Mapping and traffic information may be that available from providerssuch as Tom Tom™ or other providers, and provides an ability to obtainan objective estimate of time that it takes to travel the learned path.This information can be used to determine whether the monitoringindividual is traveling too slowly along the path in an effort to getmore uncontrolled time. This may be used during the leaning phase towarn a monitoring officer against accepting the learned path, or may beused during a monitoring mode to determine whether the monitoredindividual may be taking too much time along the travel route. As themapping and traffic information takes traffic into account, the excuseof being caught in traffic is effectively removed.

Databases indicating the location of publicly available Internet accesspoints may be compared against delays in movement of the monitoredindividual. For example, where it is determined that a monitoredindividual consistently stops at a particular location while travelingalong the learned path. This stopping location may be compared againstlocations of known Internet access (e.g., WiFi hotspots). Where Internetaccess is available, an official can be alerted of the availability.

Crime scene information may be available from law enforcement or others.Such crime scene data can be compared spatially and temporally to thelocations of a monitored individual. This comparison may be used toassure that the monitored individual is not traveling along a learnedpath through a high risk crime area. Alternatively, or in addition, thiscomparison may be used to determine whether the monitored individual hasgang associations where the individual typically chooses to travelthrough known gang areas.

Turning to FIG. 2, a flow diagram 200 depicts an operational mode forinitializing and operating a monitoring system in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention. Following flow diagram200, a monitor device is associated with a monitor target (block 205).Where the monitor target is a human subject, associating the monitordevice with the monitor target may include placing the monitor device ina pouch maintained by the human subject or physically attaching themonitoring device to the human subject using, for example, a strap orbracelet. Alternatively, where the monitor target is a non-human asset,associating the monitor device with the monitor target may includeplacing the monitor device inside the asset or otherwise attaching themonitor device to the asset. Based upon the disclosure provided herein,one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate a variety of ways thata monitor device may be associated with an asset.

Various default time and location parameters and other defaultsparameters may be associated with the monitor target (block 210). As anexample, where the monitor target is an automobile, a default parametermay be set up to exclude any out of state travel between Friday atmidnight and Sunday at midnight. As another example, where the monitortarget is a delivery vehicle, a default parameter may be set up toexclude any travel more than five miles outside of an expected deliveryregion. As yet another example, where the monitor target is analcoholic, a default parameter may be set up to exclude travel in bar orentertainment areas and/or beyond defined geographic limits such asstate or county lines. As yet a further example, where the monitortarget is a sex offender, a default parameter may be set up to excludetravel near schools or near the known location of the offender'svictims, and/or beyond defined geographic limits such as state or countylines. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skillin the art will recognize a variety of default time and locationparameters that may be associated with the monitor target. In somecases, a default location may not be time limited such that is does notallow excursion into the location any time twenty-four hours a day,seven days a week. For example, an alcoholic may always be excluded fromtraveling in an area that includes a number of bars. In other cases, thedefault location may be time limited. For example, an individual underhouse arrest may be allowed to travel to a house of worship betweenparticular hours and on particular days for attendance at a worshipservice, but will not be allowed to travel to the house of worship atany other time. Setting up such default parameters may includecategorizing the monitor target (e.g., a sex offender, an alcoholic, adelivery vehicle, or the like), and selecting a group of pre-determineddefault parameters that may be applied to the determined category ofmonitor target (e.g., not near schools and not beyond city limits).Various implementations of associating default time and locationparameters with the monitor target are discussed below in relation toFIGS. 3-4.

In some cases, the default location and time parameters may be enteredby selecting a central or home base for the monitored target, selectingthe size of an outer perimeter for the monitor target (this may includeselecting the size and/or shape of the outer exclusion zone), selectinga category for the monitor target (e.g., delivery vehicle, sex offender,substance abuser, or the like) and allowing the system to automaticallyprogram an initial set of fixed exclusion zones based upon theabstractly selected default location and time parameters.

In addition to the default time and location parameters, the officialmay also program a grace period for arrival at particular points in aninclusion zone or leaving early in case there are clock synchronizationissues. The official may also program the size of any buffer around alearned or interim inclusion zone to allow for the potential ofalternative routes in case of traffic or other issues. Yet further, theofficial can program the time the monitor target must remain at alocation in the learn phase before an end point of start point of alearned path is established. Additionally, the official could select aperiod of time sufficient to allow a monitor target to be present withinan expected zone of operation before a learning mode is started (i.e., aperiod used to trigger block 215 of flow diagram 200). Substantial timemay be allowed where there is a possibility that traffic or otherfactors may slow the return to the expected area. An official may alsoprogram a threshold for alerts or sending exceptions when the monitoringmode is operated (e.g., block 235 of flow diagram 200). This wouldassure that a single step into an exclusion zone would not trigger analert as the threshold may require a defined amount of time or number ofpoints within an exclusion zone to be generated before an alert orexception is reported. In addition, the official may program an amountof time during which the learn operation (e.g., block 220 of flowdiagram 200) is performed. This programmable time period would controlthe decision of block 225 of flow diagram 200. This period may be oneweek where the schedule of the monitor target is expected to be regular,or for several weeks where the schedule is highly variable (e.g., anindividual working swing shifts some weeks and days other weeks).

It is then determined whether the monitor target is at an acceptablelocation to begin the learning process (block 215). For example, wherethe monitor target is a human subject, it is determined whether thehuman subject is at home or within an area that would be expected to befrequented by the human subject. This assures that paths outside of theexpected area to be frequented by the monitor target are not recordedwhile the human subject is returning to the area. This determination maybe made, for example, by the human subject calling the official settingup the monitor system to notify of their location. Alternatively, thedetermination may be made, for example, by allowing a determined amountof time for the human subject to walk home. This predetermined amount oftime may be set up during the aforementioned block 210. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of approaches for determining that a monitor targetis likely at an acceptable start location that may be used in relationto different embodiments of the present invention.

Time and location learning is then performed (block 220). In FIG. 1,this time and learning process is referred to as a learn control mode.During performance of time and location learning, the travels of themonitored target are monitored and a database of the travels ismaintained. The travels of the monitor target are tracked by receivinglocation information from the monitoring device associated with themonitor target. As discussed above in relation to FIG. 1, the locationinformation available from the monitoring device may be GPS information,beacon based information, or any other information capable ofidentifying the location of the monitor target. The location informationincludes time stamp information making it possible to determine thelocation of monitor target at specific times during a week or otherperiod. The paths established during the learning process are referredto as interim inclusion zones as they are presumptively expected to beincluded in the range of locations and times that the monitor targetwill be expected to operate once the learning process is completed.

During the learning control mode, the travels of the monitored targetare watched to assure that they do not extend into any fixed exclusionzone corresponding to the default time and location parametersestablished in block 210. As used herein, the phrase “fixed exclusionzone” is used in its broadest sense to mean a location defined prior tothe learning control mode where a monitor target is not permitted toventure. In some cases, the fixed exclusion zones are non-time limited,while in other cases they are time limited. A monitor target is allowedto venture into a time limited exclusion zone during particular periodsof time. For example, a monitor target may be allowed to enter a timelimited exclusion zone during the hours when bars are closed, but notduring other times. In contrast, a monitor target is never permitted toventure into a non-time limited exclusion zone. For example, where themonitor target is a delivery vehicle and the default time and locationparameters exclude travel on a weekend, the location of the monitortarget may be immediately reported to a monitoring entity or monitoringofficial if any movement is recorded on a weekend. Alternatively, wherethe monitored target is a sex offender and the default time and locationparameters exclude travel near schools, the location of the monitortarget may be immediately reported to law enforcement if the monitortarget ventures near a school. The learning process continues for adefined period of time such as, for example, one or two weeks (block225). This time period may be programmed as part of setting the defaultparameters in block 210.

Once the learning period has expired (block 225), the learned time andlocation data established during the learning process are verified(block 230) to establish a final set of exclusion zones including bothfixed exclusion zones corresponding to the default time and locationparameters established in block 210 and modifiable exclusion zones. Asused herein, the phrase “modifiable exclusion zone” is used in itsbroadest sense to mean a location where a monitor target is notpermitted to venture that is not a fixed exclusion zone. Thus, acombination of all modifiable exclusion zones and fixed exclusion zonesdefines all locations where a monitor target is not permitted to travel.In some cases, the modifiable exclusion zones are non-time limited,while in other cases they are time limited. Again, a monitor target isallowed to venture into a time limited modifiable exclusion zone duringparticular periods of time. For example, a monitor target may be allowedto enter a time limited modifiable exclusion zone during the hours of aworship service, but not during other times. In contrast, a monitortarget is never permitted to venture into a non-time limited modifiableexclusion zone.

During the verification process (block 230), the interim inclusion zonesare displayed to an official that determines whether a given interiminclusion zone is to be accepted as is, modified, or rejected. In FIG.1, this verification process is referred to as a verify control mode.For example, where the monitor target is an individual and the interiminclusion zone passes from the individual's residence to his place ofwork during an acceptable window of time, the interim inclusion zone maybe accepted as is. Alternatively, where the monitor target is anindividual and the interim inclusion zone passes from the individual'sresidence to his place of work between the time of 8:20 am and 9:10 am,the interim inclusion zone may be modified by increasing the window oftime during which the inclusion zone may be used to, for example allhours between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm five days a week. As another example,where the monitor target is an individual and the interim inclusion zonepasses from the individual's residence to his place of work, the interiminclusion zone may be modified by increasing the area of the interiminclusion zone to allow for significant variance in the path theindividual may travel from their residence to work. This would allow fortaking a different path where traffic is a problem. Where, in contrast,the interim inclusion zone travels too close to a prohibited boundary orgoes to a location that is not essential or otherwise not desired, theinterim inclusion zone may be rejected. The accepted and modifiedinterim inclusion zones are referred to herein as accepted inclusionzones.

Once all of the interim inclusion zones have been verified, an updatedset of fixed exclusion zones and modifiable exclusion zones areestablished. This is done by including all of the fixed exclusion zonesin a database of exclusion zones associated with the monitor target, andthen by defining all remaining areas that are not identified as acceptedinclusion zones as modifiable exclusion zones. These modifiableexclusion zones are included in the database of exclusion zones alongwith the fixed exclusion zones. As an example, where the acceptedinclusion zones do not proceed into particular regions, the region isidentified as a modifiable exclusion zone that is not time limited. Asanother example, where the accepted exclusion zone is limited to thehours between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, the region is identified as amodifiable exclusion zone that is time limited to the hours between 5:00pm and 8:00 am. As such, the database of exclusion zones identifies allof the locations and/or combination of locations and times where amonitor target is prohibited from traveling. Again, each of theexclusion zones may be time limited or non-time limited.

Such an approach avoids the need for an official to guess the exactpaths that will be needed by a monitor target and then to program all ofthe allowed paths, and/or for the official to spend considerable timeand effort setting up the exclusion zones. Rather, the monitor target isallowed to demonstrate expected paths during a learning control mode,and the official merely needs to edit the demonstrated paths to yield afinal set of exclusion zones during a verify control mode where themonitor target is permitted to travel. Again, the exclusion zones may beeither time limited or non-time limited.

Once the verification process is completed (block 230), the monitortarget is tracked (block 235). Where the monitor target moves into anexclusion zone, an alert or exception may be generated and sent to analert recipient system. For example, where the monitor target is adelivery vehicle that is not allowed to move more than twenty miles froma home office between Monday at 5:00 am and Friday at 10:00 pm, and isnot allowed to move away from the home office between Friday at 10:00 pmand Monday at 5:00 am, an exception or alert will be issued if either ofthe aforementioned rules are violated. As another example, where themonitor target is an individual that is never permitted to be within adefined distance of a school, outside of their residence between thehours of 10:00 pm and 5:00 am, or on a path encompassing a churchoutside of the hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm on Sunday, an exception oralert will be issued if either of the aforementioned rules are violated.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of other exclusion zones (both time limitedand non-time limited) that may be monitored with exceptions beingreported where the monitor target violates the exclusion zones.

Turning to FIG. 3a , a flow diagram 300 depicts an operational mode of amonitoring system incorporating fixed exclusion zones in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present invention. In some cases, flowdiagram 300 may be used in place of block 210 discussed above. Followingflow diagram 300, a monitor target is categorized (block 305) and one ormore fixed exclusion zones associated with the identified category areassociated with the monitor target (block 310). The fixed exclusionzones may be easily programmed by an official though selection of acentral or home base for the monitored target, selecting the size of anouter perimeter for the monitor target (this may include selecting thesize and/or shape of the outer exclusion zone), selecting a category forthe monitor target (e.g., delivery vehicle, sex offender, substanceabuser, or the like) and allowing the system to automatically program aninitial set of fixed exclusion zones. The official could also program agrace period for arrival at particular points in an inclusion zone orleaving early in case there are clock synchronization issues. Theofficial may also program the size of any buffer around a learned orinterim inclusion zone to allow for the potential of alternative routesin case of traffic or other issues. Yet further, the official canprogram the time the monitor target must remain at a location in thelearn phase before a zone would be enacted (i.e., a period used totrigger block 215 of flow diagram 200). Such a period would allow amonitor target to be within an expected region of operation before thelearning process is started. Substantial time may be allowed where thereis a possibility that traffic or other factors may slow the return tothe expected area. An official may also program a threshold for alertsor sending exceptions when the monitoring mode is operated (e.g., block235 of flow diagram 200). This would assure that a single step into anexclusion zone would not trigger an alert as the threshold may require adefined amount of time or number of points within an exclusion zone tobe generated before an alert or exception is reported. In addition, theofficial may program an amount of time during which the learn operation(e.g., block 220 of flow diagram 200) is performed. This programmabletime period would control the decision of block 225 of flow diagram 200.This period may be one week where the schedule of the monitor target isexpected to be regular, or for several weeks where the schedule ishighly variable (e.g., an individual working swing shifts some weeks anddays other weeks).

As an example, the monitor target may be categorized as a deliveryvehicle of a particular company. Where the company never takes deliveryvehicles outside of a particular radius from the home office, fixedexclusion zones may be placed for any locations beyond the radius at alltimes. As another example, the monitor target may be identified as anindividual with a history of substance abuse and child abuse. In such acase, fixed exclusion zones may be established around schools during allhours, around areas of known drug trafficking during all hours, aroundareas with a high density of bars during hours when the bars are open,and around an outer perimeter surrounding the individual's residence.FIG. 4a shows an exemplary display 400 including a number of fixedexclusion zones 401, 402, 403, 404 (depicted as patterned regions with apattern of 45 degree lines moving from left to right) defining an outerboundary beyond which the individual will not be allowed to travel.Display 400 may be displayed on a computer monitor such as the monitorof control station 191 of FIG. 1. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofequipment that may be used to show display 400. Display 400 alsoincludes a central region 450 that is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4b. Turning to FIG. 4b , central region 450 is shown including a residence410 in relation to a shopping area 430, a church 440, a place of work420, and schools 422, 424, 426, 428, 436. Schools 422, 424 aresurrounded by a fixed exclusion zone depicted as patterned region 436and schools 426, 428 are surrounded by a fixed exclusion zone depictedas patterned region 438. A patterned region 432 indicates an area ofknown drug activity, and a patterned region 442 indicates an area with ahigh density of bars. These exclusion zones (e.g., zones 401, 402, 403,404, 432, 436, 438, 442) may be pre-programmed and selectable forinclusion based upon general characteristics (i.e., a category) of themonitor target. Programming such fixed exclusion zones may be relativelysimple for an official requiring only the categorization of the monitortarget and selection of groups of exclusion zones corresponding to thecategorization.

Turning to FIG. 3b , a more particular flow diagram 301 depicts anotheroperational mode of a monitoring system incorporating fixed exclusionzones related to the monitoring of parolees in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention. In some cases, flow diagram301 may be used in place of block 210 discussed above. Following flowdiagram 301, a monitor target is categorized (block 306). It is thendetermined whether the category of the monitor target includes the sexoffender category (block 311). Where the category of the monitor targetdoes include a sex offender category (block 311), all schools andsurrounding areas are selected as fixed exclusion zones (block 316). Itis then determined whether the category of the monitor target includesalcoholic (block 321). Where the category of the monitor target doesinclude an alcoholic category (block 321), all bars and surroundingareas are selected as fixed exclusion zones (block 326). It is thendetermined whether the category of the monitor target includes drugoffender (block 331). Where the category of the monitor target doesinclude an drug offender (block 331), areas of known drug activity areselected as fixed exclusion zones (block 336). As an example, this mayresult in displays similar display 400 and display 451 where exclusionzones are represented around the various selected category areas.

Turning to FIG. 5, a flow diagram 500 depicts an operational mode inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention for performinga learn control mode using monitored information. In some cases, flowdiagram 500 may be used to implement the learning process of block 220discussed above. Following flow diagram 500, a continuous flow oflocation and time information is received that is associated with aparticular monitor target (block 505). This location and timeinformation may be received at a central monitoring location from amonitor device associated with the monitor target. As an example, wherethe monitor target is a human, the monitor device may be a monitorbracelet, and the central monitoring location may be the centralmonitoring system similar to those discussed above in relation toFIG. 1. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skillin the art will recognize a variety of approaches and devices that maybe used to receive location and time information about a monitor target.

As location and time information is received and updated (block 505), itis determined whether the monitor target has ventured into a fixedexclusion zone such as those defined in block 210 or discussed inrelation to FIGS. 3-4 (block 510). Where a monitor target has venturedinto a fixed exclusion zone (block 510), an exception or alert isgenerated and reported (block 530). As discussed above in relation toFIG. 3a , a default parameter may be defined requiring that travelinside of an exclusion zone continue for a certain distance or definedtime before an exception or alert is reported to an alert recipientsystem. This default parameter is applied here in the decision processof block 510.

Once the exception or alert is reported (block 530) or where the monitortarget is not within a fixed exclusion zone (block 510), it isdetermined whether the monitor target has stopped moving for a definedperiod of time (block 515). The gathered location and time informationis to be assembled into a path that is defined as the travel of amonitor target occurring between a start point and an end point. Thestart point and end point are indicated by a defined period ofnon-movement or limited movement. Thus, for example, a path may cover anindividual's travels between home and work with the start point beingindicated by the movement of the individual being limited to one hundredfeet of his home for at least on half of an hour, and the end pointbeing indicated by the movement of the individual being limited to onehundred feet of his place of work. The defined period and radius ofmovement may be programmed as part of the default parameters of block210. Where the monitor target has not stopped moving for the definedperiod of time (block 515), the process of receiving location and timeinformation (block 505) and determining whether the monitor target isstaying out of fixed exclusion zones (blocks 510, 530) is continued.

Alternatively, once the monitor target has stopped for the definedperiod of time (block 515), the previously gathered location and timeinformation is assembled into a recent path (block 520). An example ofsuch a recent path 611 (depicted as a dashed line) is shown in anexemplary display of FIG. 6a outlining movement of a monitor target fromresidence 410 (i.e., a starting point) to shopping center 430 (i.e., anending point). A start point is recorded at residence 410 and an endpoint is recorded at shopping center 430. Of note, once the monitortarget begins moving again, shopping center 430 will be the start pointfor a subsequent recent path.

A predictive tool set is accessed (block 530). The predictive tool setmay be, for example, able to assemble an overall travel path based upona number of recent paths based upon concatenating a number of recentpaths and calculating a mean of the recent paths and a variance of therecent paths (block 535). For example, where a first recent path isgenerated that extends from a beginning point to a first interim point,a second recent path is generated that extends from the first interimpoint to a second interim point, and a third recent path is generatedfrom the second interim point to an ending point. In this situation, thethree recent paths are concatenated to yield an overall path from thestarting point to the final point. Then, other overall paths fromearlier time periods extending from the starting point to the endingpoint are averaged together to yield a mean overall path and a variance.This may be done over several instances of the recent paths to increasethe accuracy of the mean and the variance. In some cases, the learningprocess may be done of the course of a month or more to obtain a numberof recent paths sufficient to provide a reasonable idea of where amonitored target is moving.

An interim inclusion zone is defined around the recent path as the meanpath extended by the variance of the path (block 540). In some cases,the interim inclusion zone may be extended some amount beyond the meanplus the variance to allow a larger degree of freedom. The extension ofthe interim inclusion zone may be user programmable with the amount ofthe extension decided as a balance between the perceived danger of themonitored target and a desire to avoid spurious alerts. FIG. 6b is anexemplary display 652 that shows a mean path 691 (i.e., the average of anumber of instances of recent path 611 that go in somewhat differentdirections from residence 430 to shopping center 410) and a variance 692(i.e., the shaded area around mean path 691). Referring back to FIG. 2,the process of flow diagram 200 is repeated until a learning periodexpires (block 225). Over the learning period (block 225), a number ofrecent paths are identified and subsequently surrounded by interiminclusion zones (block 220). FIG. 6c is an exemplary display 653depicting a number of recent paths as dashed lines and correspondinginterim inclusion zones depicted as stippled areas. As shown, theinterim inclusion zones shown as stippled areas cover the various pathsthat the monitor target would be expected to travel including to/fromresidence 410, shopping area 430, work 420 and church 440.

Of note, each of the interim inclusion zones includes time information.Thus, for example, the recent paths between residence 410 and work 420may occur within one hour before a work day is to start and within onehour after the work day is to end. As such, the interim inclusion zonesidentify not only locations where the monitor target is expected totravel, but also times when the monitor target is expected to betraveling within the given inclusion zone. As shown, display 653includes all recorded recent paths and corresponding interim inclusionzones generated during the learning period of block 225 of FIG. 2without limitation of time. Where a time limit is imposed, only some ofthe interim inclusion zones would be displayed. For example, during thetime surrounding the beginning and ending of work, only interiminclusion zones between residence 410 and work 420 would be depicted. Asanother example, during curfew hours when the monitor target is notallowed to leave residence 410, none of the interim inclusion zoneswould be depicted. As yet another example, interim inclusion zonesbetween residence 410 and church 440 are only shown during the timessurrounding worship services at church 440.

Turning to FIG. 7, a flow diagram 700 depicts an operational mode forvalidating interim inclusion zones in a monitoring system in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention. In some cases, flowdiagram 700 may be used to implement the tracking process of block 230discussed above. Following flow diagram 700, an initial interiminclusion zone is displayed to a verification official (block 705). Thismay include, for example, displaying a map with the selected interiminclusion zone depicted as a stippled area around a path that themonitor target traveled during the learning period (e.g., block 220 ofFIG. 2). The verification official then determines whether the selectedinterim inclusion zone is acceptable (block 710). Where the selectedinterim inclusion zone is acceptable (block 710), the displayed interiminclusion zone is converted to an accepted inclusion zone (block 715).FIG. 8a is an exemplary display 851 showing an accepted inclusion zone803 (depicted as a blackened area) extending between residence 410 andshopping center 430. Of note, accepted inclusion zone 803 corresponds tointerim inclusion zone 621 of FIG. 6b . It should be noted that acceptedinclusion zone 803 may be time limited. Such a time limit may include,for example, allowing travel within accepted inclusion zone 803 betweenthe hours of noon and 5:00 pm on Saturday and between 6:00 pm and 8:00pm on Wednesday. Thus, where display 851 is depicted for a time when theinclusion zone is not active (i.e., anytime other than between the hoursof noon and 5:00 pm on Saturday and between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm onWednesday), accepted inclusion zone 803 is not shown. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of time limited accepted inclusion zones, and timeswhen the inclusion zone would not be shown on the corresponding display.

Alternatively, where the interim inclusion zone is not acceptable (block710), the verification official decides whether the interim inclusionzone is to be modified (block 730). It may be desirable to extend orreduce a time period when the interim inclusion zone is expected to beused, or to increase or decrease the boundaries around an interiminclusion zone. Where it is determined that the interim inclusion zoneis to be modified (block 730), the verification official modifies theinterim inclusion zone (block 735) and the modified interim inclusionzone is converted to an accepted inclusion zone (block 715). FIG. 8b isan exemplary display 852 showing an accepted inclusion zone 805(depicted as a blackened area) extending between residence 410 andshopping center 430. Of note, accepted inclusion zone 805 corresponds tointerim inclusion zone 621 of FIG. 6b after modification by theverification official. In this case, the modification was to increasethe size of interim inclusion zone 621 to allow for reasonable travelbetween shopping center 430 and residence 410. It should be noted thataccepted inclusion zone 805 may be time limited. Such a time limit mayinclude, for example, allowing travel within accepted inclusion zone 803between the hours of noon and 5:00 pm on Saturday and between 6:00 pmand 8:00 pm on Wednesday. Thus, where display 852 is depicted for a timewhen the inclusion zone is not active (i.e., anytime other than betweenthe hours of noon and 5:00 pm on Saturday and between 6:00 pm and 8:00pm on Wednesday), accepted inclusion zone 805 is not shown. Based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of time limited accepted inclusion zones, and timeswhen the inclusion zone would not be shown on the corresponding display.

Where a particular interim inclusion zone is not acceptable and is notgoing to be modified, the selected interim inclusion zone is notidentified as an accepted inclusion zone. An example of such a scenariois interim inclusion zone 820 (shown in FIG. 6c and FIG. 8c ) extendingbetween fixed exclusion zone 436 and fixed exclusion zone 438. Thisinclusion zone may be ignored by a verification official as it does notextend between essential or acceptable destinations of the monitortarget. Where interim inclusion zone 820 is not identified as anaccepted inclusion zone, it will be identified as an exclusion zone asmore fully discussed below. In some cases, the official is provided withan ability to store a rejected interim inclusion path as a one timeexception so that it can be easily reactivated in the future if it isestablished that there was an acceptable purposes to the inclusion path.For example, such a one time exception may be a visit to a family memberin another city that may be repeated at some time in the future.

Where either the interim inclusion zone or modified interim inclusionzone is converted to an accepted inclusion zone (block 715) or where theinterim inclusion zone is to be rejected (i.e., modification is notdesired) (block 730), it is determined whether another interim inclusionzone remains to be verified (block 720). Where another interim inclusionzone remains to be verified (block 720), the next interim inclusion zoneis selected (block 740) and the processes of blocks 710 through 730 arerepeated for the selected inclusion zone.

Alternatively, where no other interim inclusion zones remain to beverified (block 720), modifiable exclusion zones are formed as aninverse of the accepted inclusion zones and fixed exclusion zones (block760). In particular, any location and/or location/time combination thatis not either identified as a fixed exclusion zone or an acceptedinclusion zone is converted to a modifiable exclusion zone. FIG. 8c isan exemplary display 853 showing the combination of accepted inclusionzones 810 (depicted as a blackened area) extending between variousessential destinations. It should be noted that one or more portions ofthe combination of accepted inclusion zones 810 may be time limited.Such a time limit may include, for example, allowing travel betweenresidence 410 and church 440 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Sunday.Thus, where display 853 is depicted for a time when the particularinclusion zone extending between residence 430 and church 440 is notactive (i.e., anytime other than between the hours of 1:00 pm and 3:00pm on Sunday), the particular portion of the accepted inclusion zonewould not be shown. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of time limitedaccepted inclusion zones, and times when the inclusion zone would not beshown on the corresponding display.

FIG. 8d is an exemplary display 854 showing the resulting exclusionzones within central region 450 after the processes of block 760 areperformed, and FIG. 8e is an exemplary display 855 showing the resultingexclusion zones including central region 450 after the processes ofblock 760 are performed. Of note, the fixed exclusion zones (e.g., zones401, 402, 403, 404, 432, 436, 438, 442) are shown as patterned regions.Modifiable exclusion zones are depicted as cross-hatched regions, andthe combination of accepted inclusion zones 810 are shown withoutpatterning. It should be noted that one or more portions of thecombination of accepted inclusion zones 810 may be time limited. Such atime limit may include, for example, allowing travel between residence410 and church 440 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Sunday.

Thus, where display 854 or display 855 is depicted for a time when theparticular inclusion zone extending between residence 410 and church 440is not active (i.e., anytime other than between the hours of 1:00 pm and3:00 pm on Sunday), the particular portion of the accepted inclusionzone would be shown as a modifiable exclusion zone (i.e., shown with across-hatched pattern). Based upon the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of time limitedaccepted inclusion zones, and times when the inclusion zone would not beshown on the corresponding display.

Turning to FIG. 9, a flow diagram 900 depicts an operational mode fortracking movement in a monitoring system in accordance with one or moreembodiment of the present invention. In some cases, flow diagram 900 maybe used to implement the tracking process of block 235 discussed above.Following flow diagram 900, location data is received related to amonitor target (block 905). This location and time information may bereceived at a central monitoring location from a monitor deviceassociated with the monitor target. As an example, where the monitortarget is a human, the monitor device may be a monitor bracelet similarto that discussed above in relation to FIG. 1. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of approaches and devices that may be used to receive locationand time information about a monitor target. It is then determinedwhether the received location and time information indicates that amonitor target has ventured into either a fixed exclusion zone or amodifiable exclusion zone (block 910). For example, where a fixedexclusion zone is defined such that it precludes the monitor target fromventuring within the fixed exclusion zone regardless of time, anexception or alert is generated and reported when the monitor targetmoves within the fixed exclusion zone (block 915). As another example,where a modifiable exclusion zone prohibits travel by the monitor targetwithin the zone except between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 am andbetween the hours of 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, anexception or alert is generated and reported whenever the monitor targetmoves within the modifiable exclusion zone outside of the hours between8:00 am and 9:00 am and between the hours of 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm Mondaythrough Friday (block 915). It should be noted that the aforementionedare merely examples, and that one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of fixed exclusion zones and modifiable exclusionzones, and bases that a monitor target could violate the exclusion zonesand thereby trigger the generation of an exception or an alert to analert recipient system.

Turning to FIG. 10, a flow diagram 1000 shows an operational mode forinitializing and operating a monitoring system including using ainformational databases to flag potential concerns in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention. Following flow diagram1000, location data is received related to a monitor target (block1005). This location and time information may be received at a centralmonitoring location from a monitor device associated with the monitortarget. As an example, where the monitor target is a human, the monitordevice may be a monitor bracelet similar to that discussed above inrelation to FIG. 1. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of approaches anddevices that may be used to receive location and time information abouta monitor target. In addition, third party data sources are accessed(block 1020). These third party data sources may include, but are notlimited to, demogramphic databases, databases indicating the location ofpublicly available Internet access points, mapping and trafficinformation, and/or crime scene databases.

It is determined whether exclusion zone analysis is to be performed(block 1010). This analysis includes determining whether the monitoredindividual has moved into an exclusion (block 1015). This may be donesimilar to that discussed above in relation to FIG. 9. Where eitherexclusion zone analysis is not selected (block 1010) or the exclusionzone analysis is completed (block 1015), it is determined whetherexpected travel time analysis is to be performed (block 1025). Selectionof expected travel time analysis may be user programmable. Whereexpected travel time analysis it to be performed (block 1025), theprocess of expected time analysis is performed (block 1030). An exampleof such expected time analysis capable of generating one or moreexceptions is discussed more fully below in relation to FIG. 11.

Where expected time analysis is not selected (block 1025) or theexpected time analysis is completed (block 1030), it is determinedwhether demographic analysis is to be performed (block 1035). Selectionof demographic analysis may be user programmable. Where demographicanalysis it to be performed (block 1035), the process of demographicanalysis is performed (block 1040). An example of such demographicanalysis capable of generating one or more exceptions is discussed morefully below in relation to FIG. 12. Where demographic analysis is notselected (block 1035) or the demographic analysis is completed (block1040), it is determined whether an Internet access analysis (e.g., WiFiavailability) is to be performed (block 1045). Selection of Internetaccess analysis may be user programmable. Where Internet access analysisit to be performed (block 1045), the process of Internet access analysisis performed (block 1050). An example of such Internet access analysiscapable of generating one or more exceptions is discussed more fullybelow in relation to FIG. 13. Where Internet access analysis is notselected (block 1045) or the Internet access analysis is completed(block 1050), it is determined whether a crime analysis is to beperformed (block 1055). Selection of crime analysis may be userprogrammable. Where crime analysis it to be performed (block 1055), theprocess of crime analysis is performed (block 1060). An example of suchcrime analysis capable of generating one or more exceptions is discussedmore fully below in relation to FIG. 14.

Where crime analysis is not selected (block 1045) or the Internet accessanalysis is completed (block 1050), it is determined whether any of theexclusion zone analysis, expected travel time analysis, demographicanalysis, Internet access analysis, or crime analysis generated anexception(s) (block 1065). Where one or more exceptions were generated(block 1065), those exceptions are reported to the recipient system(block 1070).

Turning to FIG. 11, a flow diagram 1100 depicts use of mapping andtraffic information in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention for performing monitoring of target movement. In some cases,flow diagram 1100 may be used to implement the expected travel timeanalysis of block 1030 discussed above in relation to flow diagram 1000.Following flow diagram 1100, mapping and traffic information is accessedfrom the third party data sources (block 1105). This may includeaccessing the information from the third party from which an expectedtravel time can be estimated, or providing end points of the learnedroute to a third party which returns the expected travel time basedthereon (block 1110). It is determined if the time used by the monitoredindividual exceeds the expected time based (block 1115). Where thetravel time used exceeds the expected travel time (block 1115), a timeexception is generated (block 1120). As discussed above in relation toflow diagram 1000 of FIG. 10, the exception is ultimately reported tothe recipient system.

Turning to FIG. 12, a flow diagram 1200 depicts use of use ofdemographic information in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention for monitoring of target movement. In some cases, flowdiagram 1200 may be used to implement the demographic analysis of thelearned route of block 1040 discussed above in relation to flow diagram1000. Following flow diagram 1100, demographic information is accessedfrom the third party data sources (block 1205). It is determined whetherpass by analysis is desired (block 1210). Such pass by analysis islimited to determining whether the monitored individual is passing byproblematic demographics regardless of how long the monitored target maydelay their travel while passing through the demographic. Where pass byproblem analysis is desired (block 1210), it is determined whether thelearned path passes through a problematic demographic (block 1215). Forexample, a monitored target may be an alcoholic in which case aproblematic demographic may be an area that includes liquor stores orbars. As another example, a monitored target may be a compulsive gamblerin which case a problematic demographic may be an area that includes oneor more casinos. As yet another example, a monitored target may be aviolent felon in which case a problematic demographic may include gunshops or pawn shops. As yet another example, a monitored target may be achild sex offender in which case a problematic demographic may includetoy stores, video arcades, schools, or other locations frequented bychildren. Where a problematic demographic is identified (block 1215), apass by exception is generated (block 1220). As discussed above inrelation to flow diagram 1000 of FIG. 10, the exception is ultimatelyreported to the recipient system.

Alternatively, where either a pass by problem analysis is not desired(block 1210), a problematic demographic is not identified (block 1215),or generation of a pass by exception is completed (block 1220), it isdetermined whether there is a delay in travel along the learned route(block 1225). A delay may be any stopping along the learned route for aperiod longer than a programmable threshold time. Where there is a delay(block 1225), the demographic data of the area around the delay isqueried to determined whether a problem is indicated (block 1230). Wherea problem is indicated (block 1230), a delay pass by exception isgenerated (block 1235). By doing this, when a zone is found to befrequented by a monitored individual, an analysis of the area includingthe business types, household statistics including as income levels,education, and number of children registered in the household, parks,schools, day care facilities, and even prison or halfway houses can belocated to recognize suspicious behavior near locations with an elevatedrisk. Problematic businesses may include, but are not limited to, liquorstores, bars, casinos, gun sales, pawn shops, and toy stores. Asdiscussed above in relation to flow diagram 1000 of FIG. 10, theexception is ultimately reported to the recipient system.

Turning to FIG. 13, a flow diagram 1300 depicts use of Internet accessinformation in accordance with some embodiments of the present inventionfor performing monitoring of target movement. In some cases, flowdiagram 1300 may be used to implement the WiFi analysis of block 1050discussed above in relation to flow diagram 1000. Following flow diagram1300, it is determined whether there is a delay in travel along thelearned route (block 1305). A delay may be any stopping along thelearned route for a period longer than a programmable threshold time.Where there is a delay along the learned route (block 1305), Internetaccess information is accessed from the third party data sources (block1310). This may include accessing the information from the third partyincluding identifications of locations where public Internet access isavailable. It is then determined whether the location corresponding tothe delay along the route is near one of the Internet access points(block 1315). Where there is Internet access near the delay location(block 1315), a WiFi exception is generated (block 1320). As discussedabove in relation to flow diagram 1000 of FIG. 10, the exception isultimately reported to the recipient system.

Turning to FIG. 14, a flow diagram 1400 depicts use of crime sceneinformation in accordance with some embodiments of the present inventionfor performing monitoring of target movement. In some cases, flowdiagram 1400 may be used to implement the crime analysis of block 1060discussed above in relation to flow diagram 1000. Following flow diagram1400, crime information is accessed from the third party data sources(block 1405). This may include accessing the information from the thirdparty including identifications of locations where crimes are committed,and gang activity is reported. It is determined whether any notablecrime or gang activity is reported along the learned route (block 1410).Where such activity is reported (block 1410), a crime exception isgenerated (block 1415). As discussed above in relation to flow diagram1000 of FIG. 10, the exception is ultimately reported to the recipientsystem.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide an ability for averification official or monitoring official to manually modify themodifiable exclusion zones and/or fixed exclusion zones related to theparticular monitor target. Such modification may involve changing timeswhen one or more modifiable exclusion zone is active, the region coveredby one or more modifiable exclusion zones; the incorporation of one ormore additional fixed exclusion zones, and/or the elimination of one ormore fixed exclusion zones. Such modifications may be relatively simplewhen compared with the prospect of manually entering hundreds or eventhousands of exclusion zones or inclusion zones where the abovedescribed learn/verification process is not available. Where there isneed to do substantial revisions of the modifiable exclusion zonesand/or fixed exclusion zones, the above described learn/verificationprocess may be repeated. Such a need for substantial revision may occurwhere, for example, the residence of a monitor target changes or themonitor target changes jobs. In some cases, such a process of startingover may be aided by starting with the prior zones or paths alreadylearned, verified, and monitored for that client. In this case theprocess of learning a schedule/route on a particular day may notnecessarily over ride the existing schedule.

In conclusion, the present invention provides for novel systems,devices, and methods for monitoring individuals and/or assets. Whiledetailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the invention havebeen given above, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from thespirit of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system, the monitoring systemcomprising: a monitor device associated with a monitor target, whereinthe monitor device is operable to transmit information about the monitortarget to a central monitoring system, wherein the central monitoringsystem includes a computer and a non-transitory computer readablemedium, and wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium includesinstructions executable by the computer to: receive the informationabout the monitor target, wherein the information about the monitortarget includes a plurality of time stamped locations along a pathtraveled by the monitor target; use the plurality of time stampedlocations to identify a delay along the path traveled by the monitortarget and a location of the delay, wherein the location of the delay isat an allowed area of travel; receive information from one or moredatabases, wherein the information from the one or more databasesidentifies at least one attribute corresponding to the location of thedelay; analyze the information from the one or more databases, whereinit is determined that the location of the delay is problematic; andissue an alert based at least in part on the delay along the pathtraveled by the monitor target and the determination that the locationof the delay is problematic.
 2. The monitoring system of claim 1,wherein the one or more databases includes demographic data, and whereinthe information from the one or more databases is a subset of thedemographic data.
 3. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein thesubset of the demographic data identifies locations frequented bychildren, and wherein an attribute of the monitor target identifies themonitored target as precluded from being near children.
 4. Themonitoring system of claim 2, wherein the subset of the demographic dataidentifies businesses selling alcohol, and wherein an attribute of themonitor target identifies the monitored target as precluded fromconsuming alcohol.
 5. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the oneor more databases includes mapping and traffic information, and whereinthe non-transitory computer readable medium further includesinstructions executable by the computer to: calculate an estimated timeto travel the path traveled by the monitor target; compare the estimatedtime to travel with an actual time of travel by the monitor target,wherein the actual time of travel exceeds the estimated time to travelby a threshold amount; and issue an alert indicating a time violationbased at least in part on the actual time of travel exceeding theestimated time to travel by the threshold amount.
 6. The monitoringsystem of claim 5, wherein the threshold amount is programmable.
 7. Themonitoring system of claim 5, wherein the threshold amount is zero. 8.The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the one or more databasesincludes Internet access locations, and wherein the information from theone or more databases is a subset of the Internet access locations. 9.The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the one or more databasesincludes crime scene data, and wherein the information from the one ormore databases is a subset of the crime scene data.
 10. The monitoringsystem of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: an alertrecipient system operable to receive the alert and to direct the alertto a device associated with an official overseeing the monitor target.11. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein identifying the delayalong the path traveled by the monitor target and the location of thedelay comprises: based upon the plurality of locations and time stampsalong the path traveled by the monitor target, determining a time periodthat the monitor target was not moving and a location corresponding tothe time period; and comparing the time period to a threshold time. 12.The monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the threshold time isprogrammable.
 13. A monitoring system, the monitoring system comprising:a central monitoring system including at least a computer and anon-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the non-transitorycomputer readable medium includes instructions executable by thecomputer to: receive location information about a monitor target whereinthe information about the monitor target includes a plurality of timestamped locations along a path traveled by the monitor target; comparethe location information with an allowed area of travel, wherein it isdetermined that the monitor target is within the allowed area of travel;use the plurality of time stamped locations to identify a delay alongthe path traveled by the monitor target and a location of the delay;receive information from one or more databases, wherein the informationfrom the one or more databases identifies at least one attributecorresponding to the location of the delay; analyze the information fromthe one or more databases, wherein it is determined that the location ofthe delay is problematic; and issue an alert based at least in part onthe determination that the location of the delay is problematic.
 14. Themonitoring system of claim 13, wherein the one or more databasesincludes mapping and traffic information, and wherein the non-transitorycomputer readable medium further includes instructions executable by thecomputer to: calculate an estimated time to travel the path traveled bythe monitor target; compare the estimated time to travel with an actualtime of travel by the monitor target, wherein the actual time of travelexceeds the estimated time to travel by a threshold amount; and issue analert indicating a time violation based at least in part on the actualtime of travel exceeding the estimated time to travel by the thresholdamount.
 15. The monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the thresholdamount is programmable.
 16. The monitoring system of claim 14, whereinthe threshold amount is zero.
 17. The monitoring system of claim 13,wherein the one or more databases includes Internet access locations,and wherein the information from the one or more databases is a subsetof the Internet access locations.
 18. The monitoring system of claim 13,wherein the one or more databases includes crime scene data, and whereinthe information from the one or more databases is a subset of the crimescene data.
 19. The monitoring system of claim 13, wherein the systemfurther comprises: an alert recipient system operable to receive thealert and to direct the alert to a device associated with an officialoverseeing the monitor target.
 20. The monitoring system of claim 13,wherein identifying the delay along the path traveled by the monitortarget and the location of the delay comprises: based upon the pluralityof locations and time stamps along the path traveled by the monitortarget, determining a time period that the monitor target was not movingand a location corresponding to the time period; and comparing the timeperiod to a threshold time.
 21. The monitoring system of claim 20,wherein the threshold time is programmable.
 22. The monitoring system ofclaim 13, wherein the one or more databases includes demographic data,and wherein the information from the one or more databases is a subsetof the demographic data.
 23. The monitoring system of claim 22, whereinthe subset of the demographic data identifies locations frequented bychildren, and wherein an attribute of the monitor target identifies themonitored target as precluded from being near children.
 24. Themonitoring system of claim 22, wherein the subset of the demographicdata identifies businesses selling alcohol, and wherein an attribute ofthe monitor target identifies the monitored target as precluded fromconsuming alcohol.
 25. A monitoring system, the monitoring systemcomprising: a central monitoring system including at least a computerand a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein thenon-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions executableby the computer to: receive location information about a monitor target;based upon the location information, determine a period of time that themonitor target is not moving in an allowed area of travel; identify alocation where the period of time that the monitor target is not movingoccurs; receive information from one or more databases, wherein theinformation from the one or more databases identifies at least oneattribute corresponding to the location; analyze the information fromthe one or more databases, wherein it is determined that the location isproblematic; and issue an alert based at least in part on thedetermination that the location is problematic.
 26. The monitoringsystem of claim 25, wherein the one or more databases includesdemographic data, and wherein the information from the one or moredatabases is a subset of the demographic data.
 27. The monitoring systemof claim 26, wherein the subset of the demographic data identifieslocations frequented by children, and wherein an attribute of themonitor target identifies the monitored target as precluded from beingnear children.
 28. The monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the subsetof the demographic data identifies businesses selling alcohol, andwherein an attribute of the monitor target identifies the monitoredtarget as precluded from consuming alcohol.
 29. The monitoring system ofclaim 25, wherein the one or more databases includes mapping and trafficinformation, and wherein the non-transitory computer readable mediumfurther includes instructions executable by the computer to: calculatean estimated time to travel the path traveled by the monitor target;compare the estimated time to travel with an actual time of travel bythe monitor target, wherein the actual time of travel exceeds theestimated time to travel by a threshold amount; and issue an alertindicating a time violation based at least in part on the actual time oftravel exceeding the estimated time to travel by the threshold amount.30. The monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the threshold amount isprogrammable.
 31. The monitoring system of claim 29, wherein thethreshold amount is zero.